Estimates lowered for sequestration-related job losses

By Marjorie CenserBy Marjorie CenserMarch 31, 2013

George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis predicts the region will actually lose fewer jobs under sequestration than initially thought, after taking into account the federal spending plan passed last month.

Stephen S. Fuller, the center’s director, had forecast in July that Virginia stood to lose close to 208,000 jobs; now, he predicts the commonwealth will lose just over 154,000 — or their equivalent in lost payroll earnings.

The new legislation reduced the magnitude of the sequester, Fuller noted in his report.

Projected Maryland job losses are down to just over 84,000, from nearly 115,000 in Fuller’s previous report; while D.C.’s losses are now at just under 93,000, down from about 127,000. The nation’s total job losses are estimated at 1.58 million in the new report, trimmed from 2.14 million in the July version.

SRA hires new cybersecurity executive

Bryan Martin, a former ManTech International executive, has been named vice president for cybersecurity and privacy at Fairfax-based SRA International, the company plans to announce today.

Martin previously served as chief technology officer of ManTech’s mission, cyber and intelligence solutions group, focused on the company’s cyber strategy as well as cyber research and development.

At SRA, he said in an interview last week, he’ll help the company win business and work in strategy, development and new technologies. He said SRA sees growth potential in a more integrated approach for federal agencies.

“Our customers are going from a culture of ... more of a checklist mentality to one of a more proactive ... approach to cybersecurity,” he said.

He’ll also team up with Richard A. Clarke, the former special adviser to the president on cybersecurity, who now works for SRA as an executive adviser for cybersecurity and counterterrorism.

Martin acknowledged that the contractor will feel pressure in an increasingly competitive field.

“Every federal integrator offers some cyber service today,” he said. “This is really the heart of SRA’s business ... It’s not a bolt-on, it’s not a me-too.”

In a statement, the company said provides technical support under a contract that ends on May 22.

In mid-March, SAIC received notice from the General Services Administration that it did not win a follow-on contract for the work, and the company then notified its employees. SAIC said it will help employees find new jobs either in the company or with another company.

GAO denies Miracle Systems

The Government Accountability Office last month rejected a protest filed by Arlington-based Miracle Systems against a Federal Highway Administration contract awarded to Sevatec of Falls Church for information technology support services.

The agency had originally awarded the contract to Sevatec, but Miracle protested and the agency agreed to reevaluate. Once the agency again selected Sevatec, Miracle filed another protest, arguing that the agency unreasonably evaluated its technical performance, past performance and cost in awarding the contract.

Miracle had proposed a price of $108.3 million, while Sevatec’s proposal was priced at $117.2 million. The GAO stood by the agency decision.